Coventry vs Hull predictions: Sky Blues should make a fast start
Coventry won their last three regular-season home games last term without conceding
Hull won only one of their last six matches last season
Recommended bet: Coventry to win
Coventry will look to show they have no signs of a play-off hangover after missing out on promotion to the Premier League last season.
The Sky Blues look to have an excellent opportunity to get off to a fast start this time around as they entertain Hull in a lunchtime kick-off on the first Saturday of the new Championship campaign.
Coventry won nine of their final 12 home league games to finish in fifth place in 2024-25, having been in the relegation zone after the first 11 games.
They improved rapidly after Frank Lampard was appointed manager in November and while they came up just short in the play-offs, another promising season is on the cards.
In contrast, Hull escaped the bottom three only on the final day of the season, when a 1-1 draw at Portsmouth kept them above 22nd-placed Luton on goal difference, but another battle against the drop seems likely.
Team news
Coventry striker Haji Wright should be fit enough to take his place in the matchday squad after an Achilles' problem.
Midfielder Jack Rudoni missed the final friendly to avoid aggravating a calf issue but could feature.
Former Aston Villa defender Kaine Kesler-Hayden is set to make his league debut for Coventry.
Hull defender Charlie Hughes is still with the club, despite interest from Saturday's opponents and Sheffield United.
Midfielders Xavier Simons and Steven Alzate are among the players to depart the Tigers during the summer, while recruitment has been hard as the club have been under a transfer embargo.
Manager Sergej Jakirovic takes charge of his first Tigers league game after replacing Ruben Selles.
The latest Coventry vs Hull odds are available on LiveScore Bet
The stats
Both teams have scored in the last six Championship meetings between Coventry and Hull.
Hull's last five league losses last season were all by a 1-0 scoreline.
Coventry had a goal difference of +16 at home last season.
None of Hull's last 20 Championship matches produced more than three goals.
Coventry won nine of their final 12 home league games last season.
Hull finished 21st last season having been seventh in the previous campaign.
Prediction
Coventry's rapid progress was one of the highlights of the last Championship campaign and manager Lampard is targeting a promotion challenge as he prepares for his first full season in charge.
The Sky Blues have tested themselves against some high-class opposition in their warm-up games, drawing with Bundesliga club St Pauli and La Liga outfit Real Betis in their final friendlies, and the signs all point to another strong campaign.
On the other hand, survival in the second tier will be the main priority for Hull this season after they stayed up only on goal difference last term.
New manager Sergej Jakirovic has steered them to some solid pre-season results, though, to fuel some optimism,
However, a small squad is likely to catch up with the Tigers unless their financial situation improves and their first test is a tough one against a Coventry side hungry to build on last year's performance.
Promoted pair Burnley and Leeds were the only away sides to win at Coventry in the regular season after November last year and Hull seem unlikely to be able to deny the home team three points on the opening day.
